I think the problem may have been that Urban Meyer is doing the National signing day program on ESPNU. In that position, he would be discussing recruits PRIOR to them faxing in the LOI. That would be an NCAA violation.
Jerry From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 11:06 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [gatortalk] RE: [gatornews] Urban Meyer cuts financial ties with Florida Gators after ESPN hire (Yuk!) Didn't Frank Broyles act as both AD at Arkansas and a commentator for ABC for years? And how is this different from them using coaches during bowl games, I am sure they are not commenting for free. Ken K MNGator -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [gatornews] Urban Meyer cuts financial ties with Florida Gators after ESPN hire (Yuk!) From: Jerry Belloit <[email protected]> Date: Wed, February 02, 2011 9:57 am To: [email protected] Urban Meyer cuts financial ties with Florida Gators after ESPN hire NCAA raised red flags when Meyer became ESPN analyst Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel 10:38 a.m. EST, February 2, 2011 With concerns over potential <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/national-collegiate-athletic-as sociation-OREDU0000001.topic> NCAA recruiting violations, new <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/espn-%28tv-network%29-HOC792.to pic> ESPNcollege football analyst and former University of <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/college-sports/florida-gators-O RSPT000172.topic> Florida football coach <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/football/urban-meyer-PESPT00853 5.topic> Urban Meyer has been forced to break financial ties with the Gators, the Sentinel has learned. Meyer had remained on UF's payroll in an undefined role since resigning as coach in December. But earlier this week when he signed a deal to become a college football analyst for ESPN, it raised red flags with the SEC and NCAA. After UF contacted those organizations about the potentially problematic situation, the wheels were set in motion for Meyer to being taken off the university's payroll. It would have been a dicey situation for UF and possibly against NCAA rules had Meyer, who is appearing today on ESPN's coverage of National Signing Day, publicly discussed potential recruits as a paid employee and representative of UF. "The University of Florida has been a big part of my personal and professional life for the past six years and while I will no longer be able to continue a professional relationship with the University, I will continue to support the many friends I made during my time there," Meyer said in a statement released by the university. _____ <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newsletters/?track=orl-mark-embed-s ports-varsity-newsletter> Sign up for our new Varsity Sports newsletter and get high school sports updates delivered right to your inbox. _____ Said UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley "We are happy for Coach Meyer that he is getting a chance to stay involved with college football - he has so much passion for the game and the players. He will provide great insight and background for ESPN's audiences. "We were pleased to provide Coach Meyer with an opportunity within our athletic department, but the chance to work for ESPN was a perfect fit for him and his family. He will always be welcome here and we are forever indebted for what he accomplished and how he represented the University of Florida. He gave every ounce of energy to this program for six years and we certainly share a special bond with him. We will always remain close friends and I look forward to seeing him enjoy the next chapter in his life. Coach Meyer will always be a Gator." Foley originally presented the idea of Meyer staying on at UF as a paid consultant and/or fundraiser before the ESPN job came about. Foley made the offer as a goodwill gesture to the coach who led the Gators to two national titles. "Jeremy did it as a favor; he wanted Urban to understand that he was still a part of the program," says former UF player <http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/sports/trace-armstrong-PESPT000241.top ic> Trace Armstrong, who is now Meyer's agent. "Nobody anticipated this would a problem with the NCAA. Usually, when a former coach is on ESPN, he has been fired and has broken ties with the school. This was a unique situation. "In the end, we just thought this was the best resolution and the cleanest way to do it. This way, it removes any questions." Read Mike Bianchi's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/openmike and listen to his radio show every weekday from 6 to 9 a.m. on 740-AM. You can e-mail him at <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]. -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
